AMRITSAR SAHIB (SNN) – The official Panj Piaray from Sri Akal Takht Sahib passed a Gurmatta demanding the resignation of the five priests from the Takhts who participated in the Dera Sirsa ‘pardon’ and failed to appear at Sri Akal Takht Sahib as summoned by the Panch.

Due to their non-appearance, the Panch, following the century’s old Panch Pardhani tradition of the Khalsa Panth, declared the 5 offenders unit for as Jathedars, and instructed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to discharge the offenders from their duties and not allow them to perform any official duties in any capacity.

The decision by the Panj Piarays greetings with resounding sounds of Jaikarays from the large crowd who had gathered to hear this critical decision.

The original notice given by the Panj Piarays on October 21st to the discharged priests was as follows:

"Freedom of Expression is a Human Right"
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right as stated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."